State COVID-19 Percent Positivity Rate Declines to 15.1%; Clinton Drops to 19.8%

HARRISBURG, PA – Gov. Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine on Monday released a weekly update detailing the state’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts; they show a seven-day case increase of 46,777 cases (compared to 57,098 the previous week) and a statewide percent positivity of 15.1%, compared to 15.82% the previous week. They show a drop in the positivity rate in Clinton County to 19.8% from 24.3% the previous week; Centre County, a drop to 11.3% from 14.5% the previous week; and Lycoming County, a drop to 21.4% from 22.4% the previous week.

This week’s update compares the period of December 18 – December 25 to the previous seven days, December 11 – December 18.

“This is the second consecutive week that we see a decrease in percent positivity, providing us with data that our efforts to reduce and mitigate the spread are working,” Gov. Wolf said. “Although this is encouraging, we need to stay the course in our fight against COVID-19. We need Pennsylvanians to continue efforts to stay safe, stay home as much as possible, wear a mask when out of our homes, and avoid gatherings with those outside our households.”

The statewide percent-positivity went down to 15.1% from 15.82% last week. Every county in the state has a concerning percent positivity above five percent.

This includes 19 counties with percent positivity at or above 20 percent. Clinton County is no longer above that benchmark.

“The decisions we make over the holiday season will continue to impact the effect of COVID-19 across the state,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “We need to continue our efforts to practice social distancing, avoid gatherings, download the COVID Alert PA app, and answer the call when a public health professional is calling you. By using all the tools in our toolbox, we can unite to stop the spread of COVID-19 across the state and further protect our health care system.”